You can't keep a good man -- or in this case, a good pitcher -- down.
It got hairy early for surging Mets right-hander Nolan McLean during Thursday afternoon's series finale with the Detroit Tigers. With two outs in the top of the first inning, tall lefty Gage Workman launched a McLean sweeper over the left-center fence for a three-run homer.
McLean wasn't fazed. In his words, he "just had to find what was working."
Throughout the next six innings, the 24-year-old righty reminded everyone why he's considered one of the most promising young pitchers in the game. Even factoring in the early mistake, McLean's final stats were impressive. Seven full innings, seven strikeouts, six hits, and three walks across 93 pitches is the type of efficient line aces record and bullpens greatly appreciate.
By the time McLean left the mound in the middle of the seventh inning, the game was already out of reach with the Mets leading 7-3. Juan Soto led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot to deep center to punctuate that fact.
As McLean carved up the Tigers' lineup, the Mets' batting order burst into life. Carson Benge, Marcus Semien, A.J. Ewing, and the aforementioned Soto all stepped up with two hits apiece for a combined 4 RBI to help secure the three-game sweep over the Tigers, 9-4 the final score.
Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza only needed to call on his bullpen twice today, opening the eighth inning with Tobias Myers and handing the ball to Craig Kimbrel to handle the ninth. Excluding a home run hit by Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler off of Myers, the two relievers didn't allow a baserunner.
McLean attributed his mid-game bounce back to a conscious decision to "get creative."
Breaking down his performance today, one aspect which certainly stands out is McLean decided to "mix in the cutters in counts [he] normally wouldn't throw them a ton."
That cutter (8 percent usage) is the least-used in McLean's six-pitch arsenal, behind his sinker (36 percent), four-seam fastball (18 percent), sweeper (16 percent), curveball (12 percent), and changeup (9 percent). Today, 16 of McLean's 93 pitches were cutters, more than double his usual rate.
That uptick supplanted the usage of his sweeper and changeup, which were both down during his outing.
With the team looking to extend their three-game win streak against the cross-town rival Yankees, McLean remarked that the Mets "know how good [their] clubhouse is, and that's all that matters... [they're] not worried about anybody else."
His next start is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, the second game of a four-game road series against a familiar NL East foe, the Washington Nationals.
CHICAGO (AP) — Roman Kantserov is joining the Chicago Blackhawks after a record-breaking season in the Kontinental Hockey League.
The Blackhawks announced on Thursday that they had agreed to a three-year contract with the 21-year-old Russian winger, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft. The entry-level deal carries a $1,075,000 salary cap hit.
Kantserov, listed at 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, led the KHL with 36 goals in 63 games this season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He also had four goals and four assists in 15 postseason games.
Kantserov's 36 goals and 64 points were the highest single-season totals for a player under the age of 22 in KHL history.
The addition of Kantserov is a significant move for a franchise looking to climb out of a lengthy rebuilding project. Chicago also has the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
The Blackhawks went 29-39-14 this year, an 11-point improvement on the previous season and still nowhere near playoff contention. They have finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the last three years.
The franchise has made just one postseason appearance since 2017, and that was the expanded playoff format after the 2019-20 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jasprit Bumrah made a winning start to his Mumbai Indians captaincy stint on Thursday, as Tilak Varma hit 75 not out off 33 balls helped beat Punjab Kings by six wickets in the IPL.
Matthew Schaefer is not just a boon to the Islanders, but to the NHL as a whole.
The 18-year-old defenseman, unanimously named the Calder Trophy recipient Wednesday, has already been featured in some of the league’s marketing, making a video with Matt Martin’s twin girls to explain how the draft lottery works. If he continues on the path he set in his rookie season, it stands to reason Schaefer will soon be one of the faces of the league.
And, certainly, he’ll be one of the faces of the 2027 All-Star Game at UBS Arena.
“When you look at Matt Schaefer, you can look at what he’s accomplished on the ice, which is a record for an 18-year-old defenseman,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told The Post at the UJA-Federation of New York’s Sports Annual Luncheon on Thursday. “And you look at his maturity, his personality, the way he interacts with people. It’s hard to believe he’s still only 18.”
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) shoots during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Bettman was honored with the David J. Stern Leadership Award at the luncheon, named after the former NBA commissioner who worked with Bettman for over 12 years when both were rising through the ranks at the NBA.
The 73-year-old Bettman was mum about the details of the All-Star Game, which will be the first the NHL has held since 2024 and which is expected to have a new, as-yet-unannounced format.
After two years of replacing All-Star competition with best-on-best, international play — first at the 4 Nations Face-Off, then at the Olympics — going back to an All-Star Game in which players aren’t trying particularly hard may feel like something of a disappointment.
Matthew Schaefer, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the New York Islanders during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. AP
In part because best-on-best takes so much out of players, the league has settled on a system of rotating between an All-Star Game and best-on-best competition — an Olympics every four years and a league-run World Cup of Hockey every four years — for the foreseeable future.
UBS Arena, which hosts its first tentpole event since opening in 2021 next season, feels like a bit of a loser in the process. It was originally slated to host the 2026 All-Star Game, but upon the league’s decision to play at the Olympics, that was downgraded to an unspecified sendoff event, meant to be something like a media day, which was eventually canceled.
“You’ll have to hold judgment in the answer to that question [about the format] until we make an announcement one way or the other,” Bettman said. “Everything [gets considered]. And if you have a good idea, we’ll listen to it.”
It looked like a foul at the end of regulation: Ausar Thompson stripped Donovan Mitchell before Mitchell could get a shot off, leading to a loose ball, and in the scramble to get it, 30 feet from the basket, Jarrett Allen collides with Thompson. It looks like a foul on Allen. Crew Chief Tony Brothers is standing feet away and chooses not to blow his whistle.
Ausar Thompson with the game-saving block on Donovan Mitchell, and then he gets tripped by Jarrett Allen, but no foul call (with replays).
The NBA backed up Brothers in its Last Two Minute report, saying he made a "correct no call." From the report:
Allen (CLE) and Thompson (DET) legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact.
That echoes what Brother's said after the game.
"During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," Brothers told a pool reporter.
That's not how Pistons' coach J.B. Bickerstaff saw it.
"He fouled Ausar. Clear. He trips him when he's going for a loose ball. In any game situation, that's tough," Bickerstaff said.
Cleveland had come from nine points down in the final three minutes and, after that play, the game went to overtime, where the Cavaliers prevailed 117-113. Cleveland leads the series 3-2 and can close it out on their home floor Friday night.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Steve Kerr summed up the Golden State Warriors’ current state in two sentences.
“What we had is gone, but we’re trying to hang on to it,” Kerr told ESPN’s Wright Thompson. “I don’t know if anybody really knows if it exists anymore.”
That’s where the Warriors are in an uncertain 2026 offseason. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are still around, but in older, slower, more injury-prone versions of themselves. The team can’t stop trying to compete while they still have the greatest player in franchise history, and Kerr himself worries he “can’t walk away.”
Kerr resigned with the team on a two-year contract that may well align him with the last years of Curry, if not also Green. The deal came nearly a month after the Warriors’ season ended with a play-in game loss, a sign of Kerr’s deep ambivalence about returning to what he called a “fading dynasty,” though he insists there’s “beauty in the struggle” of “trying to fight until the last breath.”
It’s an interesting intellectual approach for a team that’s clearly a level below the best teams in the Western Conference. They’re raging against the dying of the light with the odds and the actuarial tables against them. It’s kind of like when Curry would read critical tweets about him during halftime, only this time the primary hater is Father Time.
The marketing department asked Kerr to stop talking about this concept while they were trying to push season-ticket renewals, because apparently “dying” is not a word that gets fans excited to spend money.
“Dying Dynasty” isn’t quite as compelling as “The Last Dance,” the name for the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, who had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, coach Phil Jackson, and a guy named Steve Kerr all on expiring deals. That team was united to win a final championship and also stick it to the team and its management that seemed insistent on breaking them up. (R.I.P. Jerry “Crumbs” Krause)
However, it seems to be the way everyone is going forward, at least for the next two seasons. Owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy seem excited about the plan, and still believe that as long as they have Curry, they can beat anyone. Maybe not for four straight series, or even a full seven-game series — the Warriors would have rested Curry, Green, and Al Horford for the first game of the playoffs had they gotten past the Phoenix Suns — but they can still be competitive.
That seems to be what’s keeping Kerr going. Realistically, it’s not about winning a fourth title. It’s about remaining competitive and having nights like the play-in win against the Los Angeles Clippers. And it seems to be about coaching Steph Curry for as long as he can and probably Draymond, too.
Given his comments about wanting to give the franchise a “clean start” after Curry is done, it sounds like Kerr is committed to being there for the messy ending. The dynasty might be dying, but Kerr is there to go down with the ship.
Mighty Miguel Vargas tries to lead the White Sox to a winning record … yes, in May … tonight. | (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Sorry everybody, but stepdad David is in charge tonight. You will not be getting a detailed preview. What I can promise you is a screengrab of the Statcast Game Preview, ice cream before dinner and no bedtime. Don’t tell your mom.
Tonight it’s Anthony Kay on the mound for the White Sox, who hasn’t been the most steady of starters but has managed to justify his position thus far. A bigger challenge for the White Sox await in Kris Bubic, who has acquitted himself to a 3.50 ERA on this thus far massively disappointing Royals season.
As if Derek Hill isn’t already ruling the Vibes Chart on the White Sox, he gets the start in center tonight and has hit Bubic extremely well (in yes, an extremely small sample size).
First pitch is 6:40 P.M. CST. You can watch the game wherever you normally watch it. I’ll be watching on CHSN and then I’ll be back with you for the recap. Talk about the game below!
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 13: Carter Jensen #22 of the Kansas City Royals safely slides into second base in front of Colson Montgomery #12 of the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Rate Field on May 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals are back at it tonight on the South Side of Chicago versus the White Sox. Entering tonight’s contest, the Royals are 19-24 and tied for third in the American League Central. The Pale Hose, meanwhile, are 21-21 and in second place in the AL Central, just a game-and-a-half behind the inevitable Guardians.
Chicago’s won both games of this current series, taking the opener Tuesday night 6-5 before winning last night’s game, also 6-5. What are the odds of another 6-5 Chicago victory tonight? I don’t know the answer, that’s why I’m asking.
Last season, the Royals smoked the White Sox in their season series, going 10-3 while outscoring Chicago 61-37.
This season, that has not happened. Instead, through six games, the White Sox have the upper hand, going 4-2, including a four-game split at Kauffman in April, while outscoring the Royals by a single run, 20-19.
It sure would be nice for the Royals to win this evening. 20-24 isn’t great but it’s a lot easier on the eyes than 19-25.
And, yes, it’s somewhat personal: I have yet to write a winning recap for the Royals as they’ve lost every Thursday on which they’ve played in 2026. They are 0-5 on Thursdays. Was it something I said?
Ah, yes, with the lefty on the mound, must sit Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone while starting (and again batting third!) Lane Thomas.
Let’s check on Thomas’ 2026 splits. As we all know, he was signed to face lefthanders, so by Gawd, he’s going to face lefthanders. How’s he batting against them? .235/.409/.353 with a double, a homer, 10 walks, and seven strikeouts. Those are not the numbers of a) someone signed to hit lefthanders nor b) someone who should be batting third.
Lane Thomas, please make me regret those comments. I’d love to eat my words.
Now, the White Sox, who face fellow southpaw Kris Bubic:
Hey, Randal Grichuk gets the start! Thought about him the other day. When he started for the Cardinals, it looked like he and fellow young outfielder Stphen Piscotty would be stars for St. Louis for years to come. Unfortunately, as happens more often than not in baseball, that didn’t come to fruition for either player.
The White Sox are Grichuk’s seventh team since leaving the Cardinals, which includes, of course, a spell with the Royals last year. He has collected over 200 career home runs and more than 1,000 hits in his 13-year career. Overall, a solid career, despite not reaching stardom.
Guardiola can claim 17th City trophy, Arteta weighs up another Arsenal reshuffle and Brentford’s European dreams could edge closer
A measure of Pep Guardiola’s greatness is to be found in Saturday’s FA Cup final being a 24th visit to Wembley leading Manchester City. As this born winner could depart in the close season, the meeting with Chelsea may be a third-last outing in charge, in which he seeks the opposite result to the 2021 Champions League final. Yet Chelsea are now in a state of flux – Calum McFarlane is in a second caretaker spell of the season, following Liam Rosenior’s sacking last month, having also filled in when Enzo Maresca walked out on 1 January. This points to a City triumph and the 17th major trophy of Guardiola’s reign. But this is football, so who knows? Jamie Jackson
FA Cup final: Chelsea v Manchester City, Saturday 3pm (all times BST)
Aston Villa v Liverpool, Friday 8pm
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 12.30pm
It’s do-or-die for the Detroit Pistons, who must win Game 6 on the road to keep their season alive.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to close it out at home and secure their first Eastern Conference Finals berth since 2018.
After a crushing Game 5 loss, Detroit comes in on shaky footing, and my Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions lean toward Cleveland taking care of business in convincing fashion on its home floor.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & +1100 SGP.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6 prediction today
Who will win Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6?
Cavaliers: This is it for the Pistons. Detroit broke the hearts of the Magic when Orlando surrendered a comfortable lead in Game 6, and Cleveland did the same after an improbable comeback victory in Game 5.
Playing at home has been the deciding factor for the Cavaliers, whose postseason home-road splits have been a complete 180 from one another. Cleveland is a perfect 6-0 in front of its home crowd, and after seizing momentum in Game 5, I expect the Cavs to close this one out and advance.
Pistons vs Cavaliers best bet: Cavaliers -3.5 (-120)
The Detroit Pistons have to be heading into Rocket Arena completely demoralized after blowing a nine-point lead late in Game 5 and ultimately losing at home in overtime.
As a result, the Cleveland Cavaliers have gone from down 2-0 in this series to being one win away from the Conference Finals.
The Cavaliers rank in the Top 3 in points, 3-pointers, efficiency, offensive rating, and fewest turnovers at home, and they're a perfect 6-0 at Rocket Arena in the playoffs.
Evan Mobley’s emergence as a facilitator and his work in containing Jalen Duren have been instrumental in Cleveland’s success, and Donovan Mitchell — who has been much better offensively at home — should bounce back after a relatively quiet Game 5.
COVERS INTEL: Although Detroit averaged the eighth-most points per game in the regular season (117.8), Cleveland has held the Pistons to fewer than 110 points in all three head-to-head matchups at Rocket Arena in 2026.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6 same-game parlay
Cleveland’s 120.4 offensive rating at home is third-best in the playoffs, and its 118.0 points per game at Rocket Arena ranks second. Cleveland has scored 107 points or more in all six of its home playoff matches, and I expect that trend to continue in Game 6.
Mitchell has averaged 30.2 points on 50.8% shooting at home compared to just 22.3 points on 40.2% shooting on the road this postseason. He’s scored 27+ in four of six games at Rocket Arena, and he’s reached that mark in three of five in the Eastern Conference semis.
Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP
Cavaliers -3.5
Cavaliers team total Over 106.5
Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Spreading the Love
James Harden has averaged 6.8 assists in the Eastern Conference semis, handing out 7+ in three of five contests, including each of Cleveland’s two at home versus Detroit. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley has dished 5.2 helpers per game in this series, and he’s reached 4+ assists in six straight.
Sam Merrill and Max Strus have been more efficient from long range at home than on the road this season. Both 3-point specialists have averaged career-high makes from beyond the arc, and each hit the Over on their respective lines in Game 5.
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS at home in the 2026 postseason. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 6
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Friday, May 15, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Pistons vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 11: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers poses for a photo with Zach Neto #9 prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday, August 11, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Tom Wilson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Had things gone according to plan, Friday would be Blake Snell’s 2026 debut with the Dodgers, who open a series against the Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. But instead this will be Snell’s second start of the season.
Jack Kochanowicz starts for the Angels, with his 3.97 ERA and 5.00 xERA through eight starts. He’s coming off his worst game of the season, with seven runs (six earned) allowed in four innings against the Blue Jays on Saturday in Toronto. Before that, the right-hander had a 2.17 ERA in his previous six starts.
But that almost didn't happen. He seriously contemplated retirement, according to ESPN.
Although he never went through with the decision, there have been multiple instances where retirement has crossed his mind, per ESPN.
ESPN says he discussed retirement for the first time in June 2025, about a month after the Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals in five games, losing star Stephen Curry to injury in the process.
"My wife and I have been talking about it a lot," Kerr told ESPN's Wright Thompson then. "I have a year left on my contract. Maybe one more season. Maybe two. When Steph Curry and Draymond Green leave, the franchise deserves a clean start. We are one injury from completely falling apart."
That's nearly what happened during the 2025-26 campaign. The huge blow was losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL in January, especially as the team was starting to roll.
Even before then, retirement had crossed Kerr's mind. The Warriors lost an overtime game to the Toronto Raptors, a contest they led for most of the game. The loss didn't sit well with Kerr.
"I think things have run out here," he said. "It's just time to move on. For me and for them. I'm probably being too emotional after yet another close loss, but it's probably true. ... We will commiserate and drink beer and watch the game on our computers and complain about all the dumb plays we made."
That loss was in late December. Golden State turned into one of the better teams through January until Butler got hurt. About a week and a half later, they lost Curry for 27 straight games to runner's knee.
The battered Warriors scraped their way to the 10th seed, somehow finding themselves still in NBA Play-In contention, as the season drew to a close. Even then, Kerr said he had his mind made up on calling it quits after the season, before the Warriors played a March 25 game against the Nets.
He told ESPN's Thompson that he spoke with his wife, Margot, at the time and they both agreed that the 2025-26 season would be his last. All Kerr wanted was a classy ending.
Critics wrote them off and said the dynasty was over. Their demeanor changed when Curry returned at the end of the season and they went into the NBA Play-In Tournament against the Los Angeles Clippers.
It was a fight and, in the end, Curry's heroics saved the day, reminding Kerr of what he'd be walking away from.
The atmosphere of the game, the postseason environment and the story of Golden State's season – that contest was gratifying for the Warriors and the thought of their once-existent dynasty.
"For one night, we're us," Kerr said. "We are champions again."
It was after that game he told Thompson in a whisper, "I'm not leaving." According to Thompson, Kerr also received a text from his wife, too, that read "You're not leaving."
The Warriors lost the next Play-In game to the Phoenix Suns, and Kerr shared a moment with Curry and Draymond Green. After the game, he said: "I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There's a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it's time for new blood and new ideas and all that."
He met with team owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. over weeks of discussion until a deal was ultimately reached. All sides agreed that there is still a competitive fire and they look forward to the upcoming season.
"We're thrilled that Steve's tenure with the Warriors will continue," Dunleavy said in a news release. "His impact on our franchise has been enormous, well beyond the championships and incredible on-court success. The character and leadership that he exudes each day helps set the tone for what we hope our franchise represents both now and in the future."
And despite considering retirement, Kerr said he's grateful for the opportunity to remain the Warriors coach.
"This organization has meant so much to me for the last 12 years − from ownership to our players, our staff and our fans − and it's an incredible privilege to be a part of something so special," Kerr said in a news release. "I'm excited to keep competing with this group."
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 13: Mauricio Dubón #14 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on May 13, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves have already clinched the series win against the Cubs in their second-consecutive high-profile series. Now they’re going for the really loud statement of pulling off a sweep against the Cubs. Ben Brown and the rest of the North Siders aren’t likely to just roll over, so this should be another closely-fought contest between the two. Hopefully we’ll be talking about a Braves win once the end of the night comes around. For now, settle in and and enjoy yourselves while the game is happening.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 14: Mitch Garver #18 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Daikin Park on May 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a day when the Mariners lost their starting catcher with Cal Raleigh going on the IL, Mitch Garver stepped into the role and had his best game of the season – on both sides of the ball – in an 8-3 victory. With that win, the Mariners not only secured a series win over the Astros, but guaranteed a winning season record over their AL West rivals.
It wasn’t just Garver contributing to the offense, though. The Mariners batters had seven extra-base hits, setting a season high, and seven of their eight runs came with two outs. They had traffic in all but two innings, pounding out 11 hits, and struck out just six times while walking five times.
The Mariners offense staked Castillo to a nice three-run lead early, thanks to a leadoff Brendan Donovan double and then some two-out production: Randy Arozarena walked and Luke Raley got a fastball on the plate from Astros starter Mike Burrows that he did not miss:
I do not know why, in a 1-2 count, after Raley had swung and missed at a changeup previously and then fouled off another, Burrows then thought the next move was “fastball up in the zone to a man with arms that look like Douglas firs stapled to his shoulders” but I’m not upset about it.
For a moment, it looked like Luis Castillo was going to give all those runs right back. He got his first two outs before walking Yordan Álvarez, which, understandable, but then walked Isaac Paredes on five not particularly-close pitches. His command wasn’t much better to Christian Walker, although he was able to get Walker to fly out harmlessly to end the inning. But it came at the cost of his pitch count: 23 pitches in the first inning alone on a day when the Mariners bullpen was perilously short-handed.
The Astros had a little more life in the bottom of the second, but Castillo was bailed out by a baserunning error by Braden Shewmake, trying to make it from second to third on a Cam Smith infield hit right at J.P. Crawford (and then maybe bailed out again on a challenge that went the Mariners’ way). Castillo got out of that inning, and after that, seemed to lock in. He did give up a solo homer to Álvarez in the third, because Yordan gonna Yordan, but also struck out three in that inning, and then worked a clean fourth – again with some help from Garver, who made a clutch challenge to overturn ball three into an inning-ending strike three – and a clean fifth, this time with some help from a nifty snag by Cole Young.
Meanwhile, the Mariners hitters continued to stack offense for Castillo. With J.P. Crawford on board but two outs in the fourth, Burrows hung a slider to Garver in an 0-2 count—which again, feels like a bad idea when in his previous at-bat he’d hit a slider hard but straight to center, but hey, I’m not the professional here – and this time, Garver did everything the same (literally the exact same exit velo, 99.1, and actually ten feet shorter via Statcast – 369nice vs. 379) but yanked the pitch into the Crawford Boxes instead.
Rewatching that, I feel like 369 feels short as a measurement, but also, I delight in Mariners hitters making the homer-inflating Crawford Boxes work for them, so it’s a quandary. Perhaps as a certified Tall Person I should consult José Altuve on what it feels like to be short.
That homer gave the Mariners and Castillo some breathing room, but Cole Young decided to crack the window even further in the sixth after the two batters ahead of him had reached with two outs – Dominic Canzone on a single and Garver on a walk. Young fell behind 0-2 but laid off a changeup and a slider (good Cole!) until he got a sinker right on the plate he could smash into right field. A little adventurous fielding from Astros right fielder Cam Smith allowed seventh-percentile-sprint speed Garver to score all the way from first without a slide. (NB: If you’re watching this highlight at work or in front of delicate ears, mute it, because Burrows swears loudly and distinctly right after this pitch gets hit.)
That healthy lead let Dan Wilson roll with Castillo into the sixth, and it looked like it was going to be another inning of smooth sailing for The Rock despite a one-out Álvarez single. Again, Garver came up with a clutch challenge, flipping a count for Paredes from 2-0 to 1-1; Paredes would eventually strike out. But then Christian Walker refused to just strike out, instead working a nine-pitch walk. Trying to get one last out and maybe a quality start for Castillo, the Mariners opted to leave him in, and he left a fastball on the plate for Braden Shewmake to send to that tricky left field wall, scoring both runners. Nick Davila, making just his fifth big-league appearance, was called in to stop the bleeding and did, getting Brice Matthews to ground out.
Davila went on to deliver a scoreless seventh, working around a walk, and Domingo Gonzalez – now given a five-run lead after a J.P. Crawford RBI double in the eighth – worked around a leadoff double to, who else, Álvarez, and then capped things off in the ninth. Of his six outs, Gonzalez got two strikeouts and four ground-ball outs, which seems like a pretty useful reliever even if the Mariners’ infield defense is shaky on the left-hand side.
The Castillo-Garver battery isn’t the matchup most Mariner fans are most excited about this season, but today the supposed weak links of the roster gave what they had to this victory: Castillo, whose velocity was up a full tick on his fastball, hanging in there for 108 pitches; and Garver, calling a good game for Castillo (who doubled his changeup rate today, with some success – two of his six strikeouts were on the pitch), winning back strikes with savvy ABS challenges, showing patience at the plate, and punishing the mistake pitch he saw. Add in the bullpen performance from Davila and Gonzalez, two pitchers buried in the pile this spring training, and you have a solid win in a game that might have looked like a loss on paper. It’s especially weird because I thought this recap would be all about Brendan Donovan, who had three hits and fell a homer short of the cycle today, but the 2-4 hitters behind him today combined for just one hit and five strikeouts (Randy did walk twice, not trying to take anything away from ArOBParena). Huh, maybe RBI is an important stat.
Jorge Polanco hasn’t played a game for the Mets since April 14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a wrist issue as well as a lingering Achilles injury.
Around that time, about a month ago now, Polanco received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his Achilles to try to help aid the healing process, reports The Athletic’s Will Sammon.
While the shot has made the injury feel better for Polanco, he’s still not fully healthy and his timeline to re-join the team remains unknown. David Stearns said on Tuesday that Polanco needs to be “asymptomatic” before the Mets can even think about setting a possible return date for the veteran.
“We want to have more good days than the days I don’t feel so good,” Polanco told The Athletic. “That’s when I know I’ll be ready to go.”
The 32-year-old, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason after a great year with the Seattle Mariners, has only appeared in 14 games for New York and is hitting .179 this season with one home run.
“It is tough to deal with, but at the same time, I can’t control that,” Polanco told the Athletic. “I wish I could because then I could be on the field every day… but what else can we do but try to stay positive, keep going and come back.”
COVERS INTEL: Although 
